Colombia airs hostage release video

Video emerges of mission to free Ingrid Betancourt and 14 others held by Farc rebels.

05 Jul 2008 21:16 GMT

Betancourt greeted the French presidentand his wife on Friday [AFP]

The images do not show the subduing of two members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) who were on the helicopter used to fly the hostages to a Colombian military base.

The video was shot by Colombian soldiers posing as a media crew duringWednesday's daring operation, in which the military fooled the rebels into releasing the captives into their custody.

In the images, some of the former hostages - including three US Pentagon contractors and 11 Colombian policemen - are seen arguing with the Farc rebels and Colombian soldiers as they were handcuffed before entering the helicopter.

The camera zooms in on American Keith Stansell, who is seen telling the camera: "I love my family ... pray a lot."

Betancourt is in a French hospital for health checks following her six year ordeal as a hostage of Colombian rebels.

She is believed to have developed a string of ailments during her time in captivity, possibly including hepatitis, although she told reporters on Friday, that she was "in great shape".

France's joy

Betancourt had an emotional reunionwith her children on Thursday [AFP]

The videotape was displayed at Colombia's military headquarters in the capital, Bogota, on Friday.

The tape's release comes shortly after Betancourt, who was held captive by the Farc for six years, arrived in France and was met by Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, and Carla Bruni, his wife.

She said on her arrival that she had "cried many times in pain, indignation, now I cry in joy".

Betancourt, who grew up, studied and raised her children in Paris, said that she had "dreamed of this moment for seven years".

She praised the "extraordinary Colombian heroes" who had rescued her and also thanked Sarkozy for his efforts in securing her freedom.